| Antique
Japanese Okimono
Bishamon
God of Luck
Signed,
Showa Period, (1868-1911)
H
4.75" (12cm), W 1.75" (4.5cm), D 1" (2.54cm.)
Carved from
quality elephant ivory.
Good condition, break on handle.
Bishamon
is usually depicted wearing armor, carries a lance in one hand. Among the Seven
Gods of Good Fortune, he is regarded as a God of Wealth. Japanese legend believes
that Bishamon grants good fortune more swiftly than the flight of an arrow from
the bow. Yet interestingly enough he is seldom carved as a netsuke apart from
the group of Seven Gods. However, this is by no mean a doubt of his popularity.
In fact, the origin of Bishamon can be traced back to the Hindu pantheon. He is
one of the 12 Devas (Heavenly Kings) found in the Womb Mandala in the Esoteric
Buddhism. His name in sanskrit is Vaisravana. He is the guardian of the northern
direction. The oldest image of Bishamon can be found carved on a cliff at Usuki
on the island of Kyushu during the Heian period (794-1184). A two meter height
Bishamon wood statue dated 9th century is in the treasure chamber of the To-Ji
in Kyoto. Private Collection |  |
